Thirsty Thursday In Pictures

My usual. Goose and lemonade with three limes and a fatty straw.
Not the healthiest of food choices but I was craving pizza and as the night wore on, the peeps wanted an order of what we call snachos.

Why snachos? Because we snarf on the chicken nachos.

The drink that won't be gracing Thirsty Thursday; diet coke and crown. Take it to Vancouver T. Represent it like I know you will!
T and Mo. Look into our noses and mouths why dontcha'?
You'll be missed my friend but lord knows I'll be coming to visit ya'! Going to Portland won't be so bad after all and now I have reason for it to be more than a day trip.

In case anyone is wondering, I received lots and lots of crap for rooting on the Lakers, who won by the way, last night. For the love of God, just because I am from Texas does not mean I have to pull for a Texas team. Not doing so does not make me any less of a Texan. Sheesh.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Thank Goodness

It's Thursday.

Thank goodness is all I have to say.

Wanna' guess why?

Did I just hear you say Thirsty Thursday at our local Cheers?

A Lakers and Spurs game I am sure will be nothing short of exciting and have me on the edge of my seat?

Turning the goose loose with peeps?

Well, if you didn't say those things this is why I am happy it is Thursday. I am looking forward to some good times.

Good times I need tonight.

I like holidays but I don't like squeezing all the work for five days into four, especially when I have a day trip tomorrow, which technically means it is fitting five days into three. And I have to prepare for an out of town week long trip next week too.

I'm not complaining. Really I am not. I am just saying.

I hope you and yours have some good times planned too. We could all use more of them.

But I especially want some tonight because I've been spending entirely too much time alone with my thoughts this week. Self examination is good but too much starts to get me self doubting and thinking.

Good times in the form of Thirsty Thursday, even if it is T's last official one with us, is just what this girl needs.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Seriously?

Anyone else see the 2 point game between the Lakers and Spurs?

I predicted, after the previous loss, the Lakers would take back game 4, and sho' enough they did!

However, it was entirely too close for my comfort.

It is true. I am pulling for the Lakers even though I am from Texas, which according to Ace, means I should be pulling for the Spurs.

And just because Ray Allen is playing for the Celtics, and I believe he is deserving of a championship, does not mean I am cheering on the Celtics. I am rooting for the Pistons.

Anywho, it was one heck of a game tonight. And I'm just saying if Kobe Bryant can do a behind the head dunk like that during a game, can you imagine what he would and could do in a dunking contest?

This was the first full game I sat down and watched in HD. I've watched bits and pieces before but tonight was the first time I did from start to finish. I just have to say the hype about high def is everything you have heard and then some.

The gleam of lights on the court. The beads of sweat on the players faces. The stitching detail on an announcer's jacket. It's all there. I recommend you think twice before watching an episode of Cops in HD though. There are some things better left to the imagination.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Past Due

When: Sunday, April 27, 2008

What: Adult Field Trip

Who: The Usual Suspects: T, Snookums, Mars, J, and Mo

Where: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

I should have posted this weeks ago. Better late than never right?

We started out the day at my place around 10:00 AM. We did the green thing by squeezing 5 adults in a Sentra for the ride north.

J drove.

Snookums rode shotgun and dee-jayed for us.

T, Mars, and I did our thing from the backseat. At first this was all we saw.

I'm not going to lie to you and say we weren't worried. We thought we might have missed the blooms.

Fortunately, we were wrong with our initial reaction. We were treated to fields and fields of beauty.

Pictures never quite do justice do they?

Nature continues to amaze me. All the flowers began like this and with care and love, grow into this .

Mars and J lapped T, Snookums, and me as we made our way around the fields. Of course, I was the one snap, snap, snapping away. I'll take a pictures of the most random things that catch my eye. Such as Thankfully my peeps get this about me. They just let me be me. I'm also the one stopping along the way and asking random strangers if they would like a group shot or someone to take their picture for them.

After a day in the fields and the ride back, we went for Ivar's, a Northwest tradition since 1938. We love us some clam chowder and fish 'n chips.
After a nap, Mars went with me to watch the man play flag football in the shadow of the Space Needle.

He's down there I promise.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. Once again, I feel so very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life whom I love and love me. Thanks for being a part of my life.
Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #32

This week I challenge you to organize and purge any magazines that possibly are taking over your life, your home, your mind.

I say mind because when I have clutter around me I am not on top of my game. Clutter distracts me.

I have a stack I need to go through. You wouldn't know said stack exists at first glance in my home but trust me, it does.

I have those suckers tucked nicely away in a open face brown leather storage cube under an end table next to my couch.

Here is my line of thought. At one time there was an article or two I wanted to read. If I haven't touched the publication in over six months do I really think I am going to now?

Yea, not so much. So this is the week I am going to pile them up in my vehicle and hit the recycle for charity bin down the street.

Won't you join in with me? I dare you not to.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Nuttin' Much

Nuttin' much sums up what is going on around these parts.

I'm slated to have a low key weekend.

Time to spend with the fur babies. Time to catch up on domestic activities. Or time to do nuttin'.

For those of you who have sent texts, called, emailed, and been praying for me and the babies to be better and to rise from the funk, I thank you. I appreciate you. I love you so very much!

I hope whatever you are doing this long weekend you are happy, surrounded by those you love, and doing the things that make you smile.

If ya' feel like sharing, I'm interested in what you'll be doing over the holiday weekend. Go on now and speak to me. I really do want to know.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Fiwa, I am happy you found a pocket of peace. It truly is the one of the best gifts you can give yourself...

Cancelled

10% of the shows I like to entertain myself with have been cancelled.

4 of these will no longer be on my DVR.


So long Shark. See ya' Women's Murder Club. Adios Cashmere Mafia. Buh Bye October Road

Please TV network peeps, don't think of doing this to Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, CSI, Criminal Minds, The Closer, or Real World. I'll be sad if those are cancelled.

What about you? What do you watch to unwind and numb your brain with? Which ones would make you sad if they were no longer being aired? Speak to me peeps...

Princess Update

My baby is doing better. God bless the miracles of modern medicine.

She is on drugs to control her seizures. It causes her to have the munchies something fierce.

The lab work has ruled out infectious diseases as the cause.

The only way to get a full diagnosis is for her to have a MRI.

The MRI will reveal if it is cancer, a tumor, or if she has epilepsy.

The question I have to answer is do I go this route or continue to monitor her to see how she does on the meds over the course of the next couple of weeks?

For now, this is what I am going to do. Thankfully, my travel schedule allows me to be home to monitor her daily, to administer her meds, and feed the insatiable appetite.

I thank you for all of your well wishes, good thoughts, and prayers. Please keep 'em coming as we are definitely not out of the woods yet.

M is For . . .

Thank this woman for the tag! If you have not been by her place to check her out, what are you waiting for? She'll be sure to crack your stuff right up!

Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following... they have to be real places, names, things... Nothing made up!

Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same first initial. You can't use your name for the boy/girl.

1. What is your name? Mo
2. 4 letter word: Math
3. Vehicle: Mustang
4. City: Miami
5. Boy's Name: Michael
6. Girl's Name: Mary
7. Alcoholic beverage: Merlot
8. Occupation: Musician
9. Something you wear: Makeup
10. Celebrity: Mariah Carey
11. Food: Meat
12. Something found in a bathroom: Moisturizer
13. Reason for being late: Meeting
14. Cartoon Character: Mickey Mouse
15. Something you shout: Man oh Man!
16. Animal: Monkey
17. Body Part : Mouth
18. Word to describe you: Marvelous


And just because I feel like it, the most recent cd created for driving in the car includes these music selections. I call it Auto Party Spring 2008:
Damaged by Danity Kane
What You Got by Colby O'Donis
Forever by Chris Brown
Love in This Club by Usher
Independent by Webbie
Killa by Cherish
4 Minutes by Madonna
Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall
Like Me by Girlicious
Move Shake Drop Remix by DJ Laz
Boyfriend/Girlfriend by C-Side
Elevator by Flo Rida
Lollipop by Lil Wayne
Sexy Can I by Ray J
Cyclone by Baby Bash
Shawty Get Loose by Lil Mama
Swing by Savage
I Like the Way She Do It by G Unit

Current Mood

I'm feeling blue today.

I know you have to go through the pain to experience the joy and this too shall pass but today I feel down.

Today I feel sorry for myself.

Today I feel let down.

Today I feel exposed.

Today I feel vulnerable.

Today I feel blue.

Today I feel this way for so many reasons but I have hope this too shall pass...

Weekly Challenge #31

This week's challenge is simply to ensure your car is clean inside and out.

Mine currently is covered in ornamental cherry blossoms. Very pretty to look at but not so nice when they cover your car from "head to toe" and the blossoms find their way into every nook and cranny of the car.

So, in an effort to get mine back in sparkling clean status, I'm throwing it out there as this week's challenge.

If you're in the same shape as I am, let's get our babies to the car wash.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Prayers Please

I'm asking for your prayers please.

This time it is for Princess.

Last night, or rather I should say this morning around midnight, she had what I thought was, and now has been confirmed, a seizure.

Followed by another at about 1:25 AM and again this morning around 6:30 AM. She could have experienced more while I slept but I don't know.

I dropped her off at the vet's nice and early. So early none of the vets had made it in to the office.

I feel helpless. I can only imagine how y'all feel when something happens to your kids.

Dr. Gray called and said she has also lost about 5 ounces from the last time she was in, which was only a few weeks ago.

I'm telling you, I baby my babies but I think their age is starting to catch up with them.

I hope it is simply an age thing and nothing too serious with her. Regardless, prayers and healing vibes are requested, especially since I just got a call saying she had another seizure and has been put on Valium.

Please and Thank You.

Now to answer a few other questions and reply to some comments.

Kim, *cough* boyfriend updates....you crack me up. Dinner was good. It's always good when you're with the people you love and love you right? We snarfed on some bbq courtesy of Famous Dave's.

Brad, Yenta away! June, as of now, I am free except for 06/01, 06/14, 06/21, 06/22, and possibly 06/28, 06/29. You were talking brunch on a weekend day I assume. If so, looks like 06/07 or 06/08 works best for brunch.

Anna, He is 6'5, black hair, brown eyes.

Cheryl, I met the deadlines. A little late but projects completed. Thanks for asking.

As for the rest of the weekend, tonight I would have been attending a going away party for . T has been promoted and will be relocating to an area south of here later this month.

Thirsty Thursday and life in the office just won't be the same without him. As with Ace, I will remain in contact with him but his physical presence most definitely will be missed.

Maricel and I will not be going to the shin-ding as the vet has told me to monitor her tonight and tomorrow. If she has a seizure (she's now had five in less than 10 hours), I have to medicate her. My baby comes before a partay any day of the week.

Saturday day will be spent with the kitties. Y'all know what Saturday night is supposed to hold. Ahem, date night with the man.

Sunday is questionable thus far. A few options but nothing set in stone just yet.

How 'bout you? What do you have going on this fine weekend? Other than wishing my kitty well?

Happy Hump Day

Can y'all believe it is Wednesday already? This week has flown by! At least for me it has.

I've gotten a few emails from folks who are experiencing difficulty in posting comments here so I thought I would entertain their questions here.

The most common question seems to be about the man. And have we gotten serious yet?

Y'all sure are in a rush for us to be in a committed relationship!

See that bus? With the pretty stop flashing hi?

I appreciate you pulling for it. We're proceeding with caution. Due to my previous travel schedule, company he has in town, and both of our crazy weeks, we have reached the stop portion of things right now.

We will see each other Saturday night and I am hoping my being in town for the next few weeks will lead to us spending more time together and allowing things to develop.

So, I guess the best I can say is hold tight, hang in there, and enjoy the slow ride. I'd rather take it slow than not at all or to rush it and have it fizzle out before it had a chance to go. Y'all know what I am saying here? I hope so because I'm at a loss for words other than what I just wrote.

Other stuff going on 'round these parts is a whole lot of nothing. It's about to get warm as all get out this weekend. I can't wait! It's a long time coming for us. Of course as soon as the heat arrives I'll probably start whining and wish for the coolness again.

I'll just be happy to get some sun. I'm ghostly pale. And it will be nice to see people out and about. We tend to hibernate when the weather is gloomy and cool.

I finally figured out what got on part of my couch and the floor. The source of the mysterious tea like spots has been identified. Can you say bad watermelon juice that leaked out of a trash bag and was transferred to other destinations by the trash? At least I know the source and how to treat it but dang it took me awhile to remember that had happened right before I went out of town this last time.

Later this week I am supposed to get a new fridge. The compressor on my current one is on the way out. Just in time for me to have a full fridge. Why couldn't this have been determined when it was empty? This will be fun to take care of but hey it could be a lot worse right?

I'm gonna' jet for now. I have a few deadlines to finish before I can head over to the other side to have dinner with T and her momma for a belated Mother's Day celebration of sorts.

Peace and Love Peeps.

For My Buddy

I wish there was more I could do from here for you.

Maricel is ready to go. I got her primed Saturday night.

Know that if you need us, we've got your back. And remember, we are a bunch of lovers, not fighters, in this family but when pushed, we are a fiercely protective group of peeps.

Happy Day

Seeing a basket full of fresh Fuji apples and Anjou pears made me a very happy girl this Monday morning.

What else makes me happy today? Other than having my health and the other blessings life offers me?

Knowing I am home based for the next few weeks at least gives me a warm fuzzy like none other. I can actually unpack the suitcase and put it in the closet for a bit.

I made a mater, spinach, and onion omelet for breakfast this morning. Then I cooked a chicken breast on the George Foreman grill, steamed some broccoli, sliced up some strawberries, pineapple, and threw in some blueberries too for my food throughout the day at the office.

Tonight I will saute spinach and shrimp for dinner after I work out.

I get to sleep in my bed. I will be surrounded by my things. I will love on and be loved by my kitties. I know if I want to I can text a friend or two for a quick get together.

Oh yea, Mo is home and loving it!

Hope you are loving life too.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #30

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there!

This includes Mom's to fur babies too. I hope your day is extra special.

Now onward to this week's challenge. It starts off with a story. A real, honest to goodness, recollection of last night's events.

Maricel, Drea, and I went to see Made of Honor after partaking in sushi and sake. It was nothing short of a major challenge to find a parking space at the movie theater so we arrived literally when the movie was starting.

We find seats and in my quest not to trip or stick my bodacious bootie in the face of an unsuspecting stranger, I hit a button on my phone so I could have backlight in which to see.

We sit down and I admit there were a few texts being received and one being sent.

So, y'all know this means the backlight was lighting up during the flick.

Please keep in mind the movie is pure chick flick as you read this.

Stranger to Mo: "Please turn your phone off."

Mo to Stranger: "In a moment."

Stranger to Mo: "I'm going to tell someone."

Mo to Stranger: "Knock yourself out."

Stranger to Mo: "I'm going to knock you out."

Um, excuse me? I couldn't help but giggle, turn to Maricel and say, "She wants to go."

My first reaction was to turn to her and challenge her. But I didn't. Instead I said a little prayer and sent love her way. Anyone who reacts that hateful needs some love, sunshine, and happiness in their life.

So my challenge to you this week is when someone or something irks the heck out of you, take a breath, giggle, and send good vibes their way. Even if you want to do a

Think you can do it?

I know you can!

Peace and Love Peeps.

Yum

The other T in my life, who just happens to be sitting next to me right now, called me out.

C. A. L. L. E. D. Me O. U. T for not posting anything since Monday.

I have nothing to say except I've been busy. Real busy. 7:00 AM start times. Finishing with work well after midnight. And yes, lets face it. I did go out last night. Or I should say, this morning.

There are stories to tell but for now I would like to post an ode to the Whataburger.

Those of you in the South, specifically Texas, know what I am talking about.

Does much of anything beat a double meat, double cheese, extra jalapeno Whataburger at 2:00 AM in the morning? After a night of drinking?

That's all I'm saying.

I'm operating on about a hour and fifteen minutes of sleep so I can't coherently think right now but dang, do I look good. And boy howdy, did my room stink to high heaven with the remains of three separate dead cows and watered down cokes this morning.

I even showered this morning and everything. If you're going represent the night before, you best be able to ring the bell the next morning.

God bless the poor individuals who I may slobber or snore on tonight on the plane back home.

Peace and Love Peeps.

One of Them Days

It was one of those days.

The kind where things seem to go wrong but end up turning out for the best?

I've had one of those days.

A day I would like to refer to as an uh oh day.

It all started with the fact that at 3:00 AM I was still messing around at home. Without my packing being completed. Or my presentation being completed.

My flight was leaving at 7:40 AM so I needed to leave my place no later than 6:00 AM.

I finally got it all together, grabbed a quick cat nap, and headed out the door.

I made it to the terminal safe and sound. Prior to doing so, I had the pleasure of watching a man totally rip on a rude "I think I am too cute" in my skinny pants, turquoise jacket, stiletto black patent peep toe shoes woman who thought it would be ok to cut in front of both of us at the security check point.

I board and sit down in my dreaded middle seat, which wasn't that bad after all, and start to snooze. Then, 45 minutes into the flight, the announcement is made; there is smoke in the cockpit so we're turning the bird back around to deplane.

Hey, I am all good at this point as I would rather be safe than sorry but really? So much for taking the early flight.

Forty minutes later we get on another plane and off we go. This time the window seat dude didn't get on so I scored the seat. This was all good as I needed to finish my presentation, which at this point was only sketched out in my mind.

I took advantage of the room and the time to get that bad boy done, through the turbulence and all the moaning and groaning other passengers were doing.

Smoke. In the cockpit people. I for one am glad they didn't take a chance and keep on going.

I arrived at my destination to find out my work peeps who left Seattle and Portland well after I did are arriving at the same time I am.

Yep, Mo spent the entire day on a plane. Well, two planes to be exact.

After much coordination, all five us met up to share a taxi van, with a fellow company associate from Denver, to the hotel.

I freshen up and we meet in the lobby to head over to where everyone else is for dinner.

Nothing quite like carne asada on Cinco de Mayo in the great state of Texas.

Well, if I had a margarita, or at the very least a Corona, then it would it would be worthy of saying nothing quite like but nope, there was work to be done post dinner with the dotted line boss man.

We just finished the work and I am tired. And sticky. I'm feeling quite nasty from traveling all day in recirculated air. And I forgot how much warmer it is here than where I call home now.

I'm off like a dirty, black, button down shirt dress. But not before I say thanks for the uh oh day. It ended up working out just fine after all.

Peace and Love Peeps.

This Week In Travel

Guess who is back?

Yeppers. Spanky rides again!

Flat Stanley's time with me has come to an end.

Spanky and I are off nice and early tomorrow morning.

We will be in the dreaded middle seat for the long plane ride we're set to have. I'm hopeful I can get that changed at my official check in but the flight looks full.

I'm going to try to post from the road but this week is booked solid.

Literally y'all. No joke.

7:30 AM start times. A packed full agenda. Evening activities planned. And as is always the case, the normal workload to attend to while absorbing it all, networking, and fitting some sleep in between the scheduled activities.

On the personal front, things are quite good.

Jasmine is very healthy. She's become quite the climber again. Action from her I haven't seen in years. I came home last night to find her on the kitchen counter. The mantle and perching on top of the printer seem to be her spots of late.

Her auntie is being extremely gracious and taking her to the vet for me tomorrow. When I called to make her boarding reservation the staff was giddy to know she was coming in. That in itself gives me peace of mind.

Princess is going to get alone time and special lovings from auntie while her sister and I are away so I am hopeful she will be pretty darn happy. I don't know about her labs yet because every time I take her in, she doesn't have enough urine for a sample. The last round of labs indicated an elevated kidney function. The urine sample is key to ensuring her health. Drats!

So um yes T, she is yet to be shaved. Don't hate. I'm trying!

I know y'all want to know about the man more than anything so I will get right down to it. We had a great week. We were both in town so we were able to connect. Finally right?

After the tulip festival adult field trip, my road dog Maricel went with me Sunday night to watch him and his team play flag football in the shadow of the Space Needle. We then hung at his place for a bit. I went to his place Tuesday night and he came over Thursday night for dinner followed by me heading over to his place. We had a quick dinner together last night.

There was a minor speed bump along the way but I'm glad we hit it. It allowed us to have a conversation about some of the things in the past. Things in the past in which I didn't realize the full extent my previous actions had. Like grown people, we talked it through. Thank you God for putting that situation in front of us is all I have to say.

Before you start wondering why is the woman going to the man's place more often than not, let me preface this by saying he is a true gentleman. However, he is allergic to the kitties.

He tries. Takes a pill and hangs like a champ. But after a few hours, he's done for. Watering eyes. Sneezing. Itchy throat. Nose doing other things.

As much as I'd like to chill here, it's not fun for him and I feel horrible to know my fur babies can have that effect on someone. So off we go, or rather I go, to his place more often than not.

It's no joke. The fact he even tries to deal with it is a fantastic sign in my book. Thursday night after he left, and I followed about thirty minutes later, he was back to normal in his place by the time I arrived. Allergies are PABs. Plain and simple.

So for now, we'll spend more time over there than here.

And speaking of for now, there is packing to do so I've gotta' get on it.

Hope y'all have a great week.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #30

When is the last time you ran a credit check?

I challenge you do so this week if it has been more than 12 months.

Please stay on top of this very important part of your life.

Identity theft and/or bad credit can ruin the good things in your life.

Requesting the check takes mere minutes.

Your happiness and financial health are worth the time you'll invest in doing this simple act.

Go on now. Back away from the blog and request away...

Edited Sunday evening: This is a good starting point.

To Do

Vacation is drawing to a close.

I lived.

I laughed.

I loved.

I didn't do a very good job of capturing it all but I am relaxed.

Now the real world to do list kicks in.

It looks a little something like this:
1. Project Laundry
2. Errands, including but not limited to, and the hope I get it all done: dry cleaning, Ulta, library, drivers license
3. Presentation for national meeting next week
4. Cards: Thank You, May birthdays, Mother's Day
5. Pay bills
6. Pack
7. Download pics
8. Create CDs for Maricel and T
9. Polish change

I know. I had all week to get this done. Here it is Friday and the list remains. But hey, I chose to relax. I chose to spend time with loved ones. I chose to take care of other things that were good for my soul.

Isn't that what vacation is about after all?


Note: Photo source